Scientists have pinpointed the ensemble of neurons that specifically gives rise to the unpleasantness of pain in the brain.
Category: Pain
How early physical therapy can lessen the long-term need for opioids
Patients who undergo physical therapy soon after a pain diagnosis are less likely to use opioids in the long term, a Stanford-Duke study finds.
Focusing on psychological treatment for patients with pain
Stanford Medicine pain psychologist Beth Darnall wants to see psychology incorporated into pain treatment. She discusses that in a new interview.
Looking beyond opioids: Stanford pain psychologist briefs Congress
Stanford pain specialist argues for comprehensive and personalized treatments as Congress considers legislation to combat the opioid crisis.
To help patients quash pain, researcher develops practical guide for health care providers
In a new book, Stanford pain psychologist Beth Darnall offers practical tools for health care providers to help their patients reduce pain.
Editorial shows importance of looking beyond medications to treat pain
Brain regions not directly involved in the receipt of pain signals play a key role in the perception of pain, and show the importance of non-drug therapies.
Epidurals increase in popularity, Stanford study finds
The percentage of pregnant women getting epidurals or other spinal analgesia has climbed to a high of 71 percent, according to a Stanford study.
Spinal health and back pain: Straightening out facts from fictions
What can be done to treat and prevent back pain? And how does our mental/emotional health affect our spinal health? Esther Gokhale, a spinal health educator and author, weighs in.
Stars of Stanford Medicine: “I have the best job in the world”
This Stars of Stanford Medicine Q&A features anesthesiologist and researcher Vivianne Tawfik, who examines the roots of chronic pain.
Teaching patients in pain self hypnosis could help curb the opioid crisis, Stanford researcher says
In this video, Stanford psychologist David Spiegel discusses how hypnosis reduces pain and could help curb the opioid crisis.
“Slow and steady wins this race”: Stanford pain specialist studies opioid tapering
Stanford pain expert Beth Darnall discusses her clinical trials on methods to taper opioid doses for patients with chronic pain.
Stanford headache specialist demystifies migraine auras
I have close friends who get debilitating migraines so I knew a bit about auras, which are sensory disturbances that often precede migraine headaches. But experiencing …
Helping patients with chronic pain during an opioid crisis
Given the country's opioid problem, how do pain doctors balance their concerns over misuse and overuse with the needs of patients who are truly suffering? That …
Stanford pain expert has advice for pharmacists on how to curtail the opioid crisis
The country's pharmacists could potentially play a powerful role in reducing opioid addiction and drug-overdose deaths, which have grown dramatically in recent years. But how …
Teens use photography to depict journeys through chronic pain
Stabbing or dull? Burning? Throbbing? Constant or intermittent? How bad on a scale of 1 to 10? If you've ever tried to describe an ordinary …
Is pain in the brain? A pain psychologist discusses alternative to opioids
A few years ago, I began experiencing significant pain. It emanated from my rotator cuff and spiraled down my right arm. It was sharp, persistent …